MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - A health alert for you, national reports rank Louisiana as the second most obese state in the country, right behind Mississippi.
According to a study conducted by the St. Francis Medical Center 71% of adults in Ouachita Parish are overweight.
According to the Center for Disease Control in 2000 there were no states that had a obesity rate of over 30 percent, now 12 states including Louisiana do.
St. Francis Health Coach, Janelle Brower says, "we've gone a long way in the past ten years in the wrong direction."
Brower says it's alarming to see the increase in obesity.
Many people wonder what's to blame for the recent jump in rates and Brower says the hectic life style we live today is one main reason.
She also says starting bad habits at an early age can be hard to break.
Brower says at least 30% of the calories in the average child's diet comes from sweets, soft drinks, salty snacks and fast food.
Health coach Ashley henry says to start on the track to a healthier life style you should start with baby steps, "even if it's 5 or 10 minutes a day we are interested in starting habits something they are able to do over and over before, laying that foundation to build on for future behaviors."
Brower also says more marketing is geared toward children, who simply don't know any better.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:01 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:01:27 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Monroe Police and Ouachita Parish Deputies continue to investigate multiple shootings, a murder and a weekend stabbing in the parish.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Monroe Police and Ouachita Parish Deputies continue to investigate multiple shootings, a murder and a weekend stabbing in the parish.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-06-17 23:20:46 GMT
DELHI, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Many expectant mothers make detailed plans of where and how they want to give birth, but sometimes even the most strategic planning, doesn't go as expected.
DELHI, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Many expectant mothers make detailed plans of where and how they want to give birth, but sometimes even the most strategic planning, doesn't go as expected.
Monday, June 17 2013 8:51 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:51:48 GMT
CARENCRO, La. (KNOE 8 News/AP) - Lafayette Parish sheriff's deputies are investigating the death of a 3-year-old boy found in his grandparents' swimming pool.
CARENCRO, La. (KNOE 8 News/AP) - Lafayette Parish sheriff's deputies are investigating the death of a 3-year-old boy found in his grandparents' swimming pool.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:23 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:23:16 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - The Monroe City School System spends nearly two times what the closest comparable school district does on central office expenses.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - The Monroe City School System spends nearly two times what the closest comparable school district does on central office expenses.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:17 AM EDT2013-06-18 13:17:15 GMT
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says all facilities at DeGray Lake and at Lake Greeson in southwest Arkansas have been reopened.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says all facilities at DeGray Lake and at Lake Greeson in southwest Arkansas have been reopened.
